Boost Brainpower at Work Through Running

Cardiovascular exercise has been proven to reduce life threatening diseases like heart disease and obesity, but did you know that it may also help make you smarter?

A recent study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that running positively impacts the brain by increasing cells in the hippocampus, or the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning.

In the study, the adult mice that voluntarily used running wheels not only increased their number of brain cells, they put them to work: The exercising mice performed better at spatial learning tests (or deciphering between what’s familiar and unfamiliar) compared to their non-exercising friends.

So what can this mean for your work environment? A little more exercise outside of the office can translate to higher levels of productivity, and decrease health care costs for your business.

Get employees interested in running with the following tips for beginners:

First, get a checkup. All runners, especially beginners, should check with their doctor before embarking on any vigorous exercise regime.

Map out a safe route. If you’re planning to run around your office area, use the Google Map Pedometer and drive your desired route first to make sure you’re exercising in well lit areas, and avoiding any hazards like busy roads, bad parts of town, etc.

Get the right gear. Purchase running shoes that fit your needs (long distance, cross country, etc.) and dress in layers during the winter/spring so you can remove clothing to avoid overheating. And don’t forget sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher on all exposed skin, including lips, and protective eyewear.

Build up stamina slowly. Start with a brisk walking program and progress to a mix of walking and jogging. Eventually, you should be able to run the entire distance you desire at a comfortable pace. At that point you can increase weekly mileage about 10% every third week, depending on your goals.

For more information on starting a running group, visit the Road Runners Club of America.